HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Percy, Star & Harrison!!

August 21st is a red letter day at All American Alpacas, as Percy will celebrate her first birthday. You may wonder why her 1st birthday is more exciting than Harrison's 1st birthday, or Star's 2nd birthday. I've written previously about Percy, who was born at day 291, the shortest gestation of a cria to survive. Rick & Pati found her in the north field early in the morning on August 21, 2006. She was very small, gray, lifeless and had no temperature. After immersing her in warm water, they were able to detect a temperature. She was too small and too weak to nurse, let alone stand. Aside from needing plasma and antibiotics, she also needed to be tube fed for several days. Because her body temperature wouldn't auto-regulate in the sun, she was only able to stay in the nursery with mom, Dewdrop, for short periods of time. Since last summer was so brutally hot, Percy spent most of her early days in the house on a sheep skin pillow. So she wouldn't go potty and then lay in it, she also wore teensy, tiny, baby diapers. As she grew stronger and could suck, she was then bottle fed until she was able to nurse. I think Rick said she weighed about 7 pounds when he found her. The average weight of a newborn cria is about 14 to 20 pounds. The odds were certainly against this little girl, but with the love, knowledge, dedication and perseverance of Rick & Pati, on Tuesday she will celebrate her first birthday. You've probably figured out that Percy is short for "Perseverance", her legal name. After all she's been through, you would not know it, as she is a healthy, vibrant, playful little girl that truly believes she is "Miss Thing" in the field. She is. So, a very Happy Birthday to the miracle cria, ALLAA Perseverance 291!

In the midst of trying to save Percy, Harrison was born. His was an uneventful birth, which was a blessing as Rick & Pati sure had their hands full with Percy. Today, Harrison is a good looking potential future herdsire who lives with my boys ALPHA and Felix (as well as Nicholas, Luther and Aerosmith). Harrison is a sweetheart and very curious when you walk in his field. Happy Birthday, Harrison!

Last but not least, my girl, Star, will celebrate her 2nd birthday on Tuesday. I think it's time for her to be pregnant :) I am so happy to have Star in my "herd" as she is a beautiful girl and really sweet. I just know she'll have spectacular babies. Maybe Fred has a special birthday present for her :) Happy Birthday, Star!

I spent all day at the ranch yesterday. Although we expected babies last weekend, there were none born, nor were there any born this week. I just knew we would see "nose and toes" yesterday. Athena looked very uncomfortable. Armana was showing physical signs of impending birth (and will probably deliver today...figures!). Paloma looks like she swallowed the Goodyear Blimp. Kalea is spending too much time at the poop pile. Dewdrop, on the other hand, didn't act like she was quite ready. I think she's waiting to deliver her cria on her daughter Percy's birthday. Wouldn't that be something.

It was really too hot yesterday to do any breeding or spit testing. It was also too hot to walk Felix, ALPHA and Aerosmith. Twice, I belly hosed the boys. The girls were O.K., because the sprinklers were going on about every hour or so (which they LOVE). I spent some time with the boys, just hanging out with them. Felix continues to be the love bug, BUT, when I walked up to him at the feeder, started rubbing his neck and leaned over to kiss his cute little nose, he turned and spit at me! Not the yukky, disgusting, smelly spit, but a little air spit with some wet hay in it. What was that all about? He clearly wasn't letting me know to leave him alone, as he stood there and let me put my hands all over him. Maybe he was just practicing. ALPHA, on the other hand, still isn't keen on me walking right up to him, but that's O.K. I realize that Felix has an exceptional personality which is why he will be so good as a therapy animal. You can tell all the boys in this field are buddies, which is cool.

Meg Ryan's registration is almost complete. Once it is, I will be able to buy her. We think she might be pregnant, but aren't certain yet.

I helped with treats just before I left. What could be better than being surrounded by Alpacas that are all very happy to see you carrying the famous blue bucket? Sometimes, giving treats also gives you the opportunity to touch them and feel their fiber. Of course, I love that Princess and Star will eat from my hand. Princess looks like she's going to explode. Her belly is really growing and she's got about 2 1/2 months to go. Oh, the anticipation!

Percy, Harrison, and Star....I will be thinking of you on Tuesday and wishing you all a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!